Class 5A District 2

Written By Lee Brecheen

Alexandria Trojans

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Head Coach: Thomas Bachman(10th year)

2023 Record: 8-5

2023 Playoffs: Quarterfinals lost to Edna Karr HS 40-34.

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key players graduated: Athlete Amyrion Mingo, DE Aidan Walker, DT Jeremiah Wright, Center Cameron Calderon, Safety/LB Omarion Ford, Safety Jason Blackwell

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Team Outlook: “Excited about this group of players. We just need to continue to work and will be competitive in the end,” said coach Bachman.

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The Offense has a chance in the end to be one of the best in Class 5A. Going into the Summer the team had 2 really talented QBs in, Max Gassiott, and QB Karson Sellers. One will win the job before fall. The run game has one of the best backs in the state back in 3 year starter All State back J.T. Lindsey (6-0,185 SR) 4.5 speed but also as tough as they come hitting the hole.The Offense also has players capable of playing both WR/RB in, Darius Washington(5-7,150), RB/WR Alex Fontenot, RB/WR Jimmy Duncan (5-11,170), WR Kirkland Bates (6-0,172), WR Marquis Butler (6-2,165), and FB Tanner Townsend(6-1,205 SR) a 3 year starter, and FB Grayson Thibodeaux, also a DE for the team.The Offensive Line has a chance to be really good with size and experience lead by 3 year starter OG Jakobi Morris(6-2,313,),OT Caleb Purl(5-10,230), OG Connor Reed(6-3,290) 2nd year starter, Center Jacob Delcacerda, OT Aidan Price, Peter Lofton, and Tanner Simek.The Defense has size up front again to become a great group in DT Jordan Mason(5-11,255), DE Elijah Nelson(6-1,210),DT Peyton Hobbs(6-2,280), DT Xavier White(5-11 220,), DE Clayton Doyle(6-0,210), OLB Cortez Simon(5-7,150), LB Daniel Crenshaw(5-8,174), and others. The Defensive Backfield will be talented again even though there are many new faces lead by FS/SS Kerrick Gaines, and CB/Safety Jayden Lewis(5-11,163). Special Teams has two Kickers one will do Field Goals in 2nd year starter Channing Meche(5-11,170), and Kickoffs Eli Fung both have strong legs.

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Neville Tigers

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Head Coach: Mike Collins(1st Year)

2023 Record: 8-2

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Central HS 17-16

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key players graduated: Athlete Aman Fuller(Centenary), DB Vincent Butcher (Centenary),WR Bradley Hanlon, OL/DL Kameron Johnson, CB Allen Price(east texas Baptist),TB/LB Brelin Robinson, DB Tytron Hanley (East Texas Baptist), DE Jayden Webb, Center Taylor Quinn (ULM).

Team Outlook: I am excited to be the Head Coach for such a great program rich in tradition. The kids are working hard this off season so we can compete and become a better football team. We have a QB battle going into the Summer with SR Brock Jordan, QB Rex Parker, and recent transfer Parker Robinson. The run game has a chance to be strong lead by Jaylon Nichols(5-11,185), RB Jakeem Reitzell, and RB/WR JaMarion Robertson. The Offensive Line has the look of a group with tons of potential returning 4 of the 5 starters from 2023 season, lead by 2nd year starter OL Dylan Jackson (6-2,265), 3 year starter OL Brayden Blade(5-11,295), Center Tyler Brown (6-2,260,SR), 2nd year starter OT/OG Van Martinez (6-3,265) a talented young player and three great TE’s, who can block and run in TE/OL Max Southern(6-4,235),FB/TE Thomas Campbell (6-2,235), and 3 year starter TE/DT Brody Whatley (6-5,265) a DI player as a SR.The WR position though young has some talent in WR Kaleb Vaughn (5-9,160), who runs a legit 4.4 forty, and Zealand Young (6-4,190).The Defensive front has size and talent in DT/DE Brody Whatley (265 pounds), DT Anzelon Perkins (5-11,270), and a few young talented players. The rest of the Defense has speed in LB Conner Vinson (5-11,205), LB Clarence Betts (5-10,200), DB Cam Riley (5-11,165) a sleeper for college, Safety Julian Burns (6-2,200) big time player, Safety Jayden Reed a future star,CB/SS veteran starter Robert Graves (5-7,155), and sleeper CB Richard White (6-0,170). Special Teams will be strong again lead by Kicker Brooks Yerger (5-6, 135), and Long Snapper Henry High(5-5,170).

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Ouachita Parish Lions

Head Coach: Benji Lewis(2nd year)

2023 Record: 3-8

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to ST. Amant HS

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key Players graduated: TE Trey Bradford(Northwestern State), Jacobie Wilson(Southern U), LB Kristian Doyle(Louisiana Christian), RB Kylon Bell, DE Jadron Rush, QB Zachary Jackson, OC Gavin Waters(Harding U), OT Marcus England, and Kicker Emilio Rios, and DE Donte Hall.

Team Outlook: “We are up in numbers for total players with 80 kids going into the Summer up from 66 in 2023. We might get it to 85 kids in the fall. We have 18 SR’s in 2024 excited about that.We also have a large Junior group of 29/30 players,” said coach Lewis. The Offense returns QB Jarvis Walker, who started 6 games in 2023 got tons of experience now.The run game returns C.J Spurs(5-8,165), who ran for 650 yards in 2023 and can Bench Press 300 pounds strong kid with power for his size.The Offense also has WR/CB Wydell Clark a big time playmaker returning starter, WR Kevon Whitlock, WR Jordin Brown(5-10,175) with good hands, WR Nick Nelson has good speed 4.5,FB Julien Crenshaw(5-11,170) SR lettered in 2023 and some young backs will battle it out Summer for reps on the Offense.The Offensive Line has to replace 3 starters but do return some really good players in OT Thomas Girod(6-1,270), OG Garrison Young(6-0,285), OG C.J Williams(6-0,280), and rest of the line will be determined during the Summer. The Defense will return one of the best Defensive Lines in the State of Louisiana lead by Dylan Berymon (6-2,300) (6 Sacks in 2023), DT/NG AJ Washington squats 615 pounds in the weight room at (6-1,314), DE Jeremy Jones All District in 2023,and DE Tedrick Reitzell(5-11,220) SR. The rest of the Defense you have LB JaMarcus Jacobs lettered in 2023 new starter, LB Kody Kelley(5-10,175), MLB Blaise Marshall(5-9,180) leader, SS Orlando Freeman 4.59 speed, CB Korey Mack(5-11,180) SR 4.5 speed, CB Donaven Shine(5-10,165) SR leader, FS DeAndre Mansfield 2nd in tackles for team in 2023, FS/SS Dallas Elmore and 2 way starter CB Wydell Clark 4.5 speed. Special Teams you have Punter/Kicker Conner Burns, and Kicker Mondragon Miquel both kids have big time legs.

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Pineville Rebels

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Head Coach: Bryant Bell(3rd year)

2023 Record: 2-9

2023 playoffs: 1st Round lost to Carencro HS

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key players graduated: QB Jaylan Whitty, FB/DE Sebastian Molette, RB/DB Jaylen Fortson.

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Team Outlook: “These players have been with me through the get go and been through some hard times. We will be the strongest we’ve been since I’ve been the coach at Pineville as a team. The players have bought in,” said Coach Bell. 

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The Rebels return 25 Seniors and only lost 9 Seniors from the 2023 season. The Rebels will be more spread in 2024, with two QB’s battling since the Spring QB Landon Grimes a former WR for the team (5-11,200), and other QB Aiden Tate(5-11,200). The run will be lead by a group of quick backs in RB/WR Hy’keem Mix(5-6,150), RB/WR Ethan Gates (5-7,170), RB/WR Kelmarion Phillips(5-7,155), and FB Jyran Pearson(5-8,200). The Offensive Line returns leader Elias Sellers(6-3,290), OG Dayton Bass(5-11,270), OL Kelby Clayton (5-10,250), and OG Brady McCann (5-10,300).The Defense will return some experience across the board in DT Kamryn Perry (6-2,275), DE Brady Baden, MLB LaMarcus Third (5-9,200), OLB/SS Brynin Davis (5-9,165), SS/FS Jacob Miranda(6-0,180) 2nd team All District in 2023, CB Briant Dearborne (6-0,180) 2nd Team All District, MLB Zane Seitz(6-2,225) big time leader, SS Ty Sanders(5-11,175) tough player, and few younger players mixed in getting reps. Special Teams has a chance to be really strong for the program with Kicker Jaco Li (5-8,145) 3 year starter with strong leg, Punter Brynin Davis Averaged 38 yards per punt starting OLB/SS for team, and then there’s LB Zane Seitz who does a great job doubling as a Long Snapper for the team.

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Ruston Bearcats

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Head Coach: Jerrod Baugh (8th year)

2023 Record: 14-0/ Won District 5-0

2023 Playoffs: State Champs

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Key players graduated: DE Ahmad Breaux (LSU), WR Logan Malone (Louisiana Christian), DE Geordan Guidry (Tulane), WR Jamar Woods (Louisiana Christian), LB Jadon Mayfield (Louisiana Tech), TE Zy Scott, Safety Nate Johnson (Ms Valley State), Safety Ronald Findley (Centenary) CB Semaj Jones (Louisiana Christian)

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Team Outlook: “We have a lot of work to do to replace the Senior class from last year, but we are looking forward to the challenge. It takes what it takes,” said coach Baugh. 

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The Bearcats long tradition just got bigger with a State Title in 2023, and went undefeated which to me is even more amazing in Class 5A football in Louisiana which is like D3 College Football league level of talent when it comes to the schedule. I don't see the program dropping off much. The Offense returns leader at QB Josh Brantley(6-4,215,), who is really good at running the ball (784 yards & 11 Touchdowns or now a very good passer) threw for 1,169 yards and 9 Touchdowns in 2023. Brantley is tough to defend for Defensive Coordinators. The Offense also returns RB Jordan Hayes, a DI player who ran for 1,694 yards & 20 Touchdowns in 2023 with power and speed tough to tackle. You also have back at RB power back Dylone Brooks(5-10,215) SR and FB Lander Smith 3 Touchdowns in 2023 (5-10, 210) SR.The Passing game is lead by promising young star WR Ahmad Hudson (6-7,235) one of the most gifted young players in Louisiana both Football & Basketball. WR Joran Parker (6-0165) SR is a new starter and new starting TE is Cullen Clark has a bright future. The Offensive Line returns 3 starters in Cameron Venzant (5-9,275), Ced Rone(6-0,350), and Sam Nations (6-3,285). New starters are OL Brock Singley (6-3,260) and Jakaylan Blackmon(6-1,315).The Defense returns just 4 starters but will have a chance to be pretty good again in 2024. The leaders back and returning starters are DT Peyton Bell(5-11,255) 38 tackles in 2023, DT Ka’Varion Key(6-0,280)(5 Sacks in 2023), LB Zheric Hill (114 tackles in 2023) a 3 year starter (6-1,235), and CB DI player shut down CB Aidan Anding(6-1,165) with 4 interceptions in 2023. New starters are Kaleb Williams DE (6-3,215), LB Zander Hayes (5-11,204), DT Rakeem Potts (5-10,225), SS Trindon Moore, SS Miles Brown, FS Jayden Anding and CB Fabian Stringfellow (5-9,155). Special Teams you have Long Snapper Jake Tyler (6-2,235), Kicker Jdaquin Ramos, Kicker Jack Elliott (5-9,155) and Punter Cade Kelly(6-3,190).

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West Monroe Rebels

Photos taken by Tom Morris

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Head Coach: Kevin Davis(1st year)

2023 Record: 8-3

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Northshore HS 9-7

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key players graduated: QB Hayden Federico(Ole Miss Baseball), OG Matthew Hixon, WR David Moore(Pearl River JC MS), WR Grant Edmondson, LB Collin Watkins(Centenary) DT Hayden Stewart, LB Cole Stephens, CB Chris Dade(Centenary), OL Nate Green(ULM)

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Team Outlook: “We are very young and gaining experience every day as a team.” coach Davis said.

New Head Coach Kevin Davis was on the staff in 2023, so he is not new to the players or program. Coach Davis spent 11 years as a Head Coach mostly in Texas prior to coming to West Monroe HS. I think this is a grand slam hire. I had a chance to go to West Monroe in March and visit with coach was very impressed with ability to lead this program back to great heights.The Offense will have several players getting the chance to be the guy and lead in WR Trez Davis, RB Kedrian McNeil, FB/RB Caden Willis(5-9,205), RB Ranaldrick Myles (6-0,210), WR Lukas DuPriest (6-1,175)FB/HB Christian Ponti (5-10,210), QB Brady Guillot (6-1,180) and QB/Athlete Luke Vallery(6-1,180). The Offensive Line has a chance to be a pretty good group with players like Ty George(6-4,325), OT Hayes Fuqua (6-6,260), and OL Cameron Ross (5-11,323) with others winning jobs in late Summer. The Defense has the potential to become a great unit with players like LB Parker Todd (6-3 225) SR, DE Tyler Roark (6-5,240) SR, LB Smoltz Lilly (6-3,230), DE Brodie Thurmon(6-1,225), DT Javon Fields (6-3,270), DT Jacob Davis(5-11,295), DT Braxton Florentine (5-9,225), LB Jaxon Talley, LB Mason-Willis, Safety Elijah Thomason (6-0,180), CB J’Tavian James, Safety Jaden Neck (5-11,185) and others will get reps to build depth for a talented young unit. Special Teams the program has two very capable Kickers in Hunter Fox and Davis Long both with strong legs. Punter will be Daniel Lane(6-1,185) SR. Long Snapper you have a good one in Daniel Chevealier (5-10,210) SR.

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